Throwing a holiday party? 15 tips for saving time and money

Caption1. Don't think you're too small.

Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Don't presume your party is too small. Many rental companies -- even at the high end -- have no minimum order requirement, and if they do, it might be less than you might guess. Though Town & Country, whose showroom is pictured here, handles giant corporate events, it would take an order of any...

Don't presume your party is too small. Many rental companies -- even at the high end -- have no minimum order requirement, and if they do, it might be less than you might guess. Though Town & Country, whose showroom is pictured here, handles giant corporate events, it would take an order of any... (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Having your order dropped off at home saves time and sanity. The Pico delivery fee is $65. Town & Country, which has showrooms in Pasadena, Van Nuys and Santa Barbara, will deliver for $99.50 with a $300 order. Delivery fees generally include setup of equipment and pickup. You can expect a...

Having your order dropped off at home saves time and sanity. The Pico delivery fee is $65. Town & Country, which has showrooms in Pasadena, Van Nuys and Santa Barbara, will deliver for $99.50 with a $300 order. Delivery fees generally include setup of equipment and pickup. You can expect a... (Town & Country)

For those of you who didn't pay attention to No. 2, let us repeat ourselves. Remember: You cannot show up at the rental warehouse expecting to fit an 8-foot-long banquet table in your Prius. Dishes and glasses are packed in wide boxes and large plastic crates. Some of the nicer dining chairs...

For those of you who didn't pay attention to No. 2, let us repeat ourselves. Remember: You cannot show up at the rental warehouse expecting to fit an 8-foot-long banquet table in your Prius. Dishes and glasses are packed in wide boxes and large plastic crates. Some of the nicer dining chairs... (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

By Nov. 1, rental companies already had logged orders for Thanksgiving. But inventories are deep, so you still have time. Most companies take orders only by phone or in person, during business hours. Peruse offerings online first. Some have prices on their website. Even if you don't have an...

By Nov. 1, rental companies already had logged orders for Thanksgiving. But inventories are deep, so you still have time. Most companies take orders only by phone or in person, during business hours. Peruse offerings online first. Some have prices on their website. Even if you don't have an... (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

An 8-foot-long table can seat 10, but it likely won't be wide enough to set down serving dishes. When the cost is about $9 per table, why not just order an extra to use as a buffet? The other issue: room planning. "People think they can fit 20 people into a dining room that fits eight," said...

An 8-foot-long table can seat 10, but it likely won't be wide enough to set down serving dishes. When the cost is about $9 per table, why not just order an extra to use as a buffet? The other issue: room planning. "People think they can fit 20 people into a dining room that fits eight," said... (Town & Country)

Need to cook two turkeys for 35 people but have only one oven? Perhaps you can rent a second. Hosts' options in party rental gear keep expanding, and even basics, such as tables, chairs, plates and glasses, might be easier or less expensive to rent than to borrow or buy. Here are 15 things...By Lisa Boone